Why The Pentagon Is Spending Billions To Bring Laser Weapons To The Battlefield

Direct energy weapons such as lasers and high powered microwaves may soon be used to defend against drones and rockets on the battlefield. These futuristic sounding weapons are part of a new wave of devices produced from billions of dollars in research and development from the Defense Department. But how close is the U.S. military to using these weapons in the field?

The Israel-Hamas conflict has shed new light on the need to defend against threats that range from small rockets to ballistic missiles. Israel has invested in the Iron Beam system, which produces a high-energy laser, to complement the Iron Dome batteries used to launch interceptors to take out incoming rockets.

"Interceptors are just surface-to-air missiles that shoot down incoming weapons. And there's obviously a limited number of them in the launcher at any given time, and they cost money and they're expendable," said Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. "A laser, on the other hand, gives you essentially an infinite magazine of interception opportunities, because the laser — as long as you've got electricity — will continue to recharge, continue to shoot down incoming weapons.

"Many of these direct energy systems are now starting to be used more extensively in the field. The DE M-SHORAD, or Direct Energy Maneuver Short Range Air Defense system, was tested by the U.S. Army in 2023 at the Yuma proving grounds. The Navy has the HELIOS, or High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, installed on the U.S.S. Preble, a Arleigh Burke-class destroyer."

We're at an inflection point right now, when it comes to the use of these directed-energy, laser weapons," said Masao Dahlgren, a fellow with the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Various services in the U.S. military are prototyping these systems, bending metal, putting things out there and experimenting with them."

Watch the video to find out what the future of laser weapons holds.

Chapters:
1:52 - How lasers work
4:09 - The Iron Beam
6:00 - Military lasers
7:30 - What’s next?

Producer Brad Howard
Supervising Producer Jeff Morganteen
Animations: Jason Reginato, Christina Locopo
Additional footage, U.S. Department of Defense, Getty Images, Reuters

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Why The Pentagon Is Spending Billions To Bring Laser Weapons To The Battlefield

[kendallevans]

Retired for 2 years so not sure what's been going on in the industry but I was in it for 43 years, mostly Hughes Aircraft. Worked on several projects including the Abrams M1 tank rangefinder, TOW missile and lots of lab research. One thing that was a great challenge in almost anything "laser" is the fragility of the design and build. It's not just that optics, in general, are delicate but you are focusing down to the nth degree over distance, great distance. ANY movement on the proximal (near) end and you've completely lost your target.

[lashlarue]

"Mr. Powers, you'll notice that all the sharks have laser beams attached to their heads..." - Dr. Evil

[dansands]

Something interesting I heard recently is that lasers have been improving in efficiency and size roughly in line with Moore's law, just like computer chips. Explains why they were a dumb fantasy 20 years ago and are completely workable now.

[rainkloud]

Some things to consider are: Repair time, parts availability, skill needed for repairs, how much time before repairs are needed, durability against attack, skill needed for operation.

[marsspacex]

Laser communication in space is also the future. Starlink has already deployed thousands of laser optimal devices and the DOD is following them in their new constellation.

[Hr]

"Begun the clone wars has." - Sun Tzu

[celtekrider]

I've seen this weapon testing in the skies behind Las Vegas. Tis very scary!

[ihateemael]

thx for shedding light on this bright topic.

[GoldilocksAI]

Why did I envision the Dr. Evil "Laser" meme? lol

[mirnarodrigues]

Umm 🤔 DEWs, being tested in a neighborhood near you, California, Lahaina, …now in Texas 🔥

[nickthompson]

There’s no way to vote against this. The military industrial complex will not allow this to cease.

[OM-PeaceE]

Eye for an eye makes the whole world blind- Gandhi .. Give Dialogue & Peace a Chance

[maximecj]

It’s sad to see it can be exciting but how unfortunate would it be for those on whom it will be used 😪

[wizzzer]

lasers might cost billions to develop, but they are so cheap to operate to the point where the military industrial complex are disincentivized from commiting to them.
they are a threat to missile production lines, the lifeblood of companies like Raytheon, they wouldn't allow it

[arthurfidas]

I don’t care about how effective these things will be in war. I’m just excited to see how this technology can be used for space exploration and travel

[ToddHines-gncf]

This is what hit Maui and Texas and California. The future is not human. This is the not so Great Reset

[piggybaggy]

Usa, our father, do whatever need to do to protect us from China!

[dvxAznxvb]

Nice to know lasers are illegal to use against personnel while rockets and ballistics are fair game; was worried they weren't gonna make the cut

Would of been boring to be back to sticks and stones

[tonac]

Better to invest in weapons than in education, food and medicine. Who needs peace when war brings more money? 💜 Keep up the good work @mankind, the future looks bright 💜

[SpruceMoose-ivun]

Has something to do with 10, 000 cheap drones that cost $300 each carrying a pound of C4 flying towards your front line. Right now theirs no way to stop it unless you maybe have a CWIS but it would run out of ammo before the drones devastate your front line. Having over 100 vehicles with mounted lasers for air defense is needed in the 21st century war.